LI. We have said which are the absolutely happy: but who are the
absolutely unhappy? Those, whose destiny have drawn them into a train
of life, which is contrary to their genius or disposition. The violence
done their inclination is constant, and therefore, their disgust is
constant also. That which would be sweet to others, is bitter to them.
Fortune could certainly, without adding fresh goods, make people more
happy; it might be done at no more cost, than permitting them to change
stations and employments, as from envying each other, when they have
nothing to be envious of, springs the mischief. The bird from his cage,
sees with envy, the stone mount and fly with freedom through the air,
but the ascent is a greater violence to the stone, than the confinement
to the bird. The poor man looks with envy on him he sees idolized on a
throne. The Prince burns with impatience, because he cannot taste the
liberty enjoyed by the poor person.
LII. Some are made unhappy by fortune, and there are others who are so
by nature. Those I say, who in their own proper genius and tempers,
find their greatest enemy; discontented men, who are pleased with
nothing, but are always loathing what they are in present possession
of; who although they should frequently change their fortunes, would
find no other effect from it, than they would from changing their
shirts, which after ten or twelve days wear would be ready to poison
them. These people live in a continual opposition to the movements of
Fortune, notwithstanding which, they are dragged on, and obliged to
obey the impulse of the wheel, being compelled by force and violence;
or like the stars, which are constrained to follow the movements
of the sphere to which they are attached, although they are always
endeavouring at a motion, opposite to that of the orb which agitates
them. These are sickly souls, whose stomachs turn at all sorts of food,
and there are not a few of such men in the world.